S4 Kayaking #3 Willamette River at Buena Vista

 Buena Vista

Starting Location: Boat Ramp at Buena Vista Park

Point of Interest : Willamette River, just downstream from the confluence of Santiam and Luckiamute Rivers

Bathrooms: Yes, brand new vault toilets

Parking: just paved, with plenty of parking for trailers

EV Chargers: No

Rentals: No

Something that I don't think I've mentioned yet about kayaking is the interesting places and views you get on the way to the boat ramp. Buena Vista is pretty close to where we live, but I don't go this way unless we are going to kayak. The back roads and variety of crops we pass are always a fun part of the journey, especially if we are able to take different routes coming back.

This park and boat ramp was just redone, with newly paved parking lot, improved dock and boat ramp, and bathrooms.






The boat ramp is wide enough for 2 vehicles if they are good at backing up. The boat ramp area is easy to get in and out of. There is more space to the North side to pull your kayaks up on the bank.








As usual, we were heading upstream, which is pretty easy with our pedal kayaks. The West side of the river is pretty calm, and you don't have to fight the current. There are also places you can pull off to rest or swim.








The only place that's difficult is getting into the mouth of the Luckiamute River. We had to fight the current of the Willamette on a corner, and it seemed more difficult that before. However, we made it, and it was worth it.









The Luckiamute was almost glass. It is so calm. We ran into a few boaters, but it's very secluded. We took time to swim, and enjoyed the calm and quiet.

 Then we returned to the Willamette, which is easier to get into, followed the current back to the park.

Our float was about 3 hours. About 1 hour to get to the Luckiamute, an hour and a half floating and swimming, and then about half hour back to Buena Vista


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